7M,7F (flexible gender). Full Length (90 min), Based on a poem described in The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and written in rhyming Iambic pentameter. The Virgin Mary travels to hell to comfort the souls in torment. While there, she condemns her own soul to save those of all mankind - much to God's dismay. What erupts is a war between Heaven and Hell, with all of our souls in the balance.
- Winner of the Helen-Jean Play Contest Literary Creativity award, 2015
- Honorable Mention in the Triad Shakes New Play Competition, 2017
- Official Selection of the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK, 2014
- Semi-Finalist in the Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship in 2014
- Performed as a staged reading with the legendary Judith Malina in the title role, 2010
"THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL has my strongest recommendation. It holds out the hope that American playwrights will move above realism. What's more, Mr. Guyton's talents as a poet and a dramatist are stellar, and the script is a model for other dramatists." (Steve Capra, The Living Theatre in NYC, 2009)
"Tightly structured, with an amazing premise... THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL by Daniel Guyton, directed by Sylvia Bush, was just ducky. The story captivates you. It has a premise that is delectable to the nth degree. The actors pulled it off in spades. Mary (Calli Dunaway) defies God (Eric Ruiter) her Father, her Son, and moseys down to hell to minister to the damned. She makes a deal with Satan (Paul Knox) to stay down there so the damned can leave (Would Janine Garofalo do the same thing for the prisoners at Guantanamo?). Mary does just what Christ did, the ultimate self-sacrifice. Satan does what he does best. He deceives. In so doing, [Mary] inspires God to show a little compassion. He does but only after realizing that mother knows best. The acting draws you in. Calli Dunaway’s Mary was an inspired performance. Not only does she have to be meek, humble, and virginal, she has to also show some moxy to pull off this Mother Teresa act. Dunaway captures all that. Eric Ruiter, who plays God, has that same “Okay, yeah, I’m the Almighty but while I’m up here I might as well have some fun” attitude that Christopher Walken has in the Fatboy Slim Weapon of Choice video. He’s omnipotent but he’s also not a little vain. Ditto for Knox’s Devil." (What the Butler Saw theatre website, 2009)
"The language of this play is wonderfully heightened for a story that is epic in scope but also incredibly relatable. In THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL, Daniel Guyton excavates so much humanity behind the iconic religious characters we know so well. And in this play, he provides us with much more than the stories we've already heard as each character wrestles with their own internal angels and demons. The addition of song elevates this play even higher for a production that would be amazing to watch unfold on stage." (John Mabey, New Play Exchange, 2022)
"MonologueBank is pleased to recommend the writing of Daniel Guyton, who possesses an exceptional amount of artistic range as a writer. THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL offers NUMEROUS monologues for actors seeking classical text in new work. The script, which is written in iambic pentameter, chronicles the journey of Mary, who is attempting to free the souls trapped in hell. One of the most exciting things about this play is the height of the stakes. They are beyond life and death - the characters are dealing in terms of eternities. And yet, they remain relatable in their desires and relationships." (MonologueBank, New Play Exchange, 2019)
"An incredible work of the imagination from Daniel Guyton. Shakespearean in its scope, it is bursting with word play, action sequences, richly drawn characters, meditations on good and evil, laughs, tears, and so much more, all tied up neatly with a lovely ending. Read the reviews... and then read and produce this play!" (Peter Dakutis, New Play Exchange, 2021)
"I had the privilege of hosting a reading of this fantastic play a few years back. As others have mentioned it is Shakespearean in scope, has wonderful word play and excellent monologue choices for actors. On top of that, Dan Guyton has one of the most vivid (and at times, twisted) imaginations out there, but he never goes off the rails he is successful in threading the needle, never losing focus of the plot while bringing all of these characters to (new) life. Highly recommended!" (John Patrick Bray, New Play Exchange, 2021)
"Employing poetic language good enough to rival some of Shakespeare's, this is a wonderful play about - well, Hell! I'd read other terrific plays of Daniel's that really work, but was still amazed that he had the imagination to write this complex piece of sustained poetry - hard to do. Recommended as a verse play." (Martha Patterson, New Play Exchange, 2023)
"THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL... was absolutely terrific! Daniel’s wonderful writing provides a Shakespearean poetry and characters that are totally engaging! The event, at the Academy Theatre in Atlanta, was sponsored by Working Title Playwrights. Daniel’s got a real winner with this play and I hope to see it on the stage!" (Bill Gibson, Working Title Playwrights, 2012)
"With an opening sequence that begins in Heaven and encompasses a mother-son argument of philosophical magnitude between two spiritually and Biblically iconic beings, the elevated language... is quite justified - and effective. It's a tale of a journey from home in the vein of Hesse's Siddhartha, but with a more philanthropic aim for the titular Mary... Mr. Guyton's gift for lush language is a gem for any reader, and it demands as many live readings as possible." (Sean Polite, Town & Gown Players, 2012)
"Just participated as an audience member for Daniel Guyton's play THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL. If you have not seen this production, you need to try and get a ticket for tomorrow night's show... It is worth the price of admission and then some to see this show. Kate Guyton was wonderful as Mary, mother of God. It has been produced as a Zoom play. Well worth it. I love that so many theatre companies are using the technology to continue their work." (Jessica Nettles, Merely Players Presents, 2021)
"An amazing undertaking! Actors handled the verse with finesse. Loved the special effects. Made me envision visual artists at the MET who look at Rembrandts and Monets recreating their styles. So IMPRESSIVE!" (Marlene May, Merely Writers, 2021)
"The most professional performance, and one that intrigued me, was Daniel and Kate Guyton's piece with Christopher Hall. It combined poetry, theatre, and Israeli Gaga dance... Simply costumed and expertly presented by both the actors and the dancer, the use of the Gaga movement lent a surreal aura to what would otherwise have felt like straight theater." (Amy Howton, The Backstage Beat, 2012)
"Daniel Guyton is a genius!” I told my husband how amazing that script was... written in IAMBIC PENTAMETER!! I would like to add that Kate was luminous and ethereal... pitch perfect for the role. Jessie was a delight to watch. Cameron had a beautiful singing voice and the whole cast was tight. The scene changes worked beautifully. Bravo!" (Phyllis Giller, Merely Players Presents, 2021)
"[THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL] is quite fantastic! I like the way, in iambic pentameter, you had so many rhymes within the middle of the lines... I thought your work with this aspect of the play was remarkable. I especially liked the characters of Mary and Satan. I imagine they would be fun and rewarding to play... I am so impressed by you and this piece of work, which might be called 'religious' or 'epic' or 'poetic'... It tells a simple story of Mary getting people/bodies out of Hell into Heaven, but in such a poetic and complex and delightful way. The additional characters (like the Cobbler) work excellently as well." (Martha Patterson, playwright, 2015)
"[I] watched the play... It was WONDERFUL!!! God was well cast with that Big Booming Voice. The Singing Angel was EXCELLENT. Mother Mary, Lucifer and the ENTIRE CAST did a FANTASTIC job. Can't wait 'til you all can do a fully staged version with the sword fights and all those Special Effects!" (Rosy Rose, YouTube review, 2021)
"Loved the performances, everyone did great... Thought it was wonderful for opening night to be on Good Friday... Tempted to rejoin and watch again on Saturday... The talent, creativity was exceptional as always." (Kristen Vining, Merely Players Presents, 2021)
"This play manages to take what appears, on first examination, to be an absurd premise, and uses it to explore profoundly serious issues. At the same time, it manages to not only be entertaining but also an excellent literary result." (Official Feedback from the Helen- Jean Award Committee, 2015)
"I loved this show! The writing, the acting, the effects - everybody did an amazing job!" (Celeste Campbell, Merely Players Presents, 2021)
"Best use of Zoom I've seen." (Fred Kempner, Merely Players Presents, 2021)
"So so wonderful! Thank you to all of you for sharing your talents! Amazing writing, acting, staging, music." (Mary West, Merely Players Presents, 2021)
"Loved the backgrounds, graphics. The acting was wonderful! Enjoyed the funny." (Kesia Martin, Merely Players Presents, 2021)
"Daniel's plays... are witty, a little off-center and always entertaining. He is a wonderful playwright and an audience favorite." (Lorenzo Scott, The Living Theatre, 2012)
"All the things I value in a good play: it's full of onstage action, it's brainy, and it wrestles with moral issues. I can't wait to see it performed." (Peter Marino, playwright, 2009)
"We did a reading of this play by Daniel Guyton with No Shame Athens! You need to check it out - it's so much fun." (John Patrick Bray, No Shame Theatre, 2015)
"Thank you for the submission of your play THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL to our inaugural New Play Competition. Although not selected as the winner, the panel was impressed with your play and has decided to recognize it with an Honorable Mention Your play may also be considered for production in future Triad Shakes' seasons." (Rob Taylor, Triad Shakes, 2017)
"Wow! I just finished reading it! What an amazing piece of work. Quite impressive. Kept me reading to the end. Thanks for sharing it with me. You deserve all the credit given." (Elly Rakowitz, Playwright's Binge, 2016)
- Staged Reading at Stageworks Theatre in Tampa, FL, 2008
- Produced by Town & Gown Players in Athens, GA, 2009
- Produced at Alive Theatre's Cherry Poppin' Play Festival in LA, 2009
- Published in Alive Theatre's Cherry Poppin' Plays 2009
- Staged Reading at the Living Theatre in Manhattan, NY, 2009
- Excerpt performed at Collaborations Atlanta in Atlanta, GA, 2012
- Staged Reading at No Shame Theatre in Athens, GA, 2012
- Staged Reading at Working Title Playwrights in Atlanta, GA, 2012
- Produced on WUGA Radio (97.1 fm) as a Radio Drama in Athens, GA, 2013
- Radio Drama aired on Atlanta Fringe Festival's website in Atlanta, GA, 2013
- Staged Reading at the Dramatists Guild Friday Night Footlights in Atlanta, GA, 2013
- Staged Reading at Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK, 2014
- Stage Reading at Process Theatre in Atlanta, GA, 2018
- Zoom Production at Merely Players Presents in Atlanta, GA, 2021
Review of THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL by Brad Rudy of Atlanta Theatre Buzz (2020)
Review of THE MOTHER OF GOD VISITS HELL at Alive Theatre on What The Butler Saw (2009)
